it's not what you think.

the internet was awful last night. i tried to post but it wouldn't go through! b&b's are so sweet. 
but here's an overview of yesteryday - 


we arrived in the airport, took a long time waiting for the other girls and turns out they missed their flight or something. sucks to be them! they were in manchester a few hours ago and should be at the b&b by now, but i really have no idea. 

we waited and waited and finally took off with our irish bus driver, peter, and headed to dingle (yes, that's the real name, don't make fun.) peter is a speedy driver and knows a ton about ireland which is great! we got to the Bunratty Castle after passing some totally gorgeous scenery. it is so green. just like the pictures i've seen. i love it! 

the castle had 6 stories. the cutest old guy was the guide and was yelling in his irish accent. he was great. it took 52 steps to get to the top, through a tightly wound staircase. the guy was telling us the lifestyle of the family that lived in the castle. they would make their way to the top of their quarter, yell down to the person at the bottom to make sure that person was still alive and they blew out their candles. they would double check with the person below to ensure that no one had followed them up the staircase to their quarter to kill them during the night! 

the top of the castle was smaller than i had expected, but just so cool! we could look out and see some tables and chairs below where i'm sure some peeps were getting drunk. 

it's green and i can't get over it! 

view from the top of the castle to the bottom. 

the castle's location was also a little community/town with homes from the past and things like that. the homes were gorgeous. there was also a cathedral of some sort that was also very pretty. the place closed at 4 so we had to get out of there quick. 

we then got back on the bus and stopped at a market for some quick food. i was dying of hunger. i decided i don't eat as much as i should, so that's a good thing! ha! i picked up a pizza for 5 euro. cheese and sauce only baby. and 5 gala apples for 2 euro. great buys!

we took a winding but stunning drive through ireland and on the south side of the peninsula. it was so beautiful! no wonder andrew loves this place. 

there were six of us staying at the Quayside Bed & Breakfast, and one more with Peter, the bus driver. the rest of the group was at another b&b about 10 minutes walk away. 

me, karra, and heidi took a nice, chilly stroll through town, took some scenic pics and headed back. 

notice the an daingean AND dingle?

land of the ire.

what a cluster it's been the past few days! i took a great trip with my friends to vegas. we enjoyed the pool at mandalay bay, got our tan on, and shopped 'til we dropped. h&m at caesars is amazing. you should go! willie wasn't coming because he "had to work" but surprised us all on friday night while we were eating at the one and only cheesecake factory. it was so fun! 


we got back on sunday afternoon, father's day. enjoyed a great dinner and then it was crunch time. i officially had one full day to get ready for a 2 month trip! ha! but...i pulled it out. lots of errands i had to run. little things to buy. stuff to pack. lists to make and check off, but it went great. 


i had an early morning shot that i need for africa and we headed to the airport straight from there for my 11:15 am flight. my bag was exactly 50 pounds, but i took some things out and dropped it two pounds. phew. a little bit of a tearful goodbye with my parentals (i will be back!) and i was off to check in. there were 4 other girls on my flight including an administrator. we flew to JFK in new york and then to ireland. 
i sat by the coolest guy on the flight to NY. he is a wildlife photographer from the netherlands and travels all across the world taking pictures. i asked him if he makes good money and he said no! that means he must like it. because he is spending the big bucks to travel. he was editing pictures from the tetons in yellowstone. he then showed me pictures from africa. elephants, lions, jackals. so cool. he was 15 yards away from a lion eating some animal. he was a cool dude. he was on his way back to the netherlands for the summer. i asked him where he stays when he goes and he said that he has his own camper that he just ships to the places he goes and then stays in it and can drive wherever he needs to. dang!
we had a 5 1/2 hour layover in NY. i was so dang tired. i took an unintentional tour of the airport but i had time to spare so it was okay. i slept for a few hours on the floor and then woke up to the lady announcing my flight was ready to board. i rushed to the other gate and got on just fine. 
i was seated next to a couple from minnesota who won a free trip to ireland. the guy was 6'6" and had an oompa loompa for a wife. he was in the middle seat with extra long legs making it difficult for me to put down my tray table and possibly sleep! i got maybe two hours of sleep on that flight. it was interesting. he was thrilled about the complementary beer. ha. i told him i was from byu and he goes, "jimmer!" he then said, "too bad that one kid decided to be honest. the team could have gone a lot farther in the tournament." ha. he must not know too much about being honest!
we arrived safely and i was amazed at the already green land outside. so pretty. can't wait to take pictures! 
the majority of our group is sitting in the airport waiting for the other group of girls who possibly missed their connection. because they obviously aren't here in ireland! too bad. 


good thing my pictures won't load. i made my first purchase. sweet bracelet! also some powerade that tastes kinda weird. oh well. 


i'll continue my waiting here in the airport. what an adventure awaits me! 


oh yes. the night before i left, my friends came over for a "surprise" early birthday. even though i caught on pretty quick so it wasn't much of a surprise. i have the best friends and family! they gave me some great gifts so start me on my trip! love them. 

soon enough.

let the 6 day countdown begin! six!!!
i will say one thing, this has completely crept up on me! i thought, oh it's a few weeks away. now it's next tuesday! 
so much to do, so little time, i think?
much has happened the past few weeks. 


1. greg came home from his mission. backdoor neighbors. he served in the harrisburg, pennsylvania mission (which later was combined into the pittsburgh, pa mission). 
me, shar bear, V, nat, willie, kevin, taylor and julia all decided we would go up to the airport and surprise the schofield's as they got off the plane. only alli knew that we were going to be there because we needed their flight time, duh! 
it was so fun to see him come out of there. we were all getting so nervous waiting! it's great to have him back. 

there he is!

he was surprised, he had no idea anyone was going to be there, let alone, US!

liz loved it.

we did make a "yay alli!" sign. she made it back too! ;) 

greg was in amish country, i tried on the hat. 

p.s. awful style choice on my part. 

alli caught me opening up the marker. don't judge me. 

2. i purchased a new wallet and alli surprised me with the same exact purse that i had stolen out of my car. came from h&m, i was so excited! my debit/credit cards came in the mail so i have those. i'm still waiting on my actual drivers license, so i am carrying my temporary one for now. what a hassle! 

3. i chose a different major. food science. ever heard of it? i hadn't until andrew brought it up to me and it sounded interesting. i just switched today and am registered for some classes in the fall! just call me a food scientist already!

4. my camera bag came in the mail! ah i am so excited about this. i found an etsy shop with these camera bags. i was then led to the lady's website and i customized my own bag! you can choose which leather you want, fabric, strap color, canvas, and inner lining. i love love love it. it's the perfect size for my trip annndd i can have my camera in there, along with other items i will need! 

5. law grandbaby #3 is on its way! we skyped with austin the other night and he told us he had a "surprise" for us and that mommy has a baby in her tummy. we were all speechless! we sat in silence, then freaked out! we are so excited. none of us had any idea. yay for babies. 

6. i went to st. george last weekend and had an amazing time with my newly married cousin, tajia, and her husband jarrett and some of their friends. great weather and great company!

7. i am leaving tomorrow with my besties for st. george/vegas! lots of laying out, lots of hanging out, lots of memories. my last "hurrah" before i head to the other side of the world! 

8. i dont' like shots. not one bit. for africa, we need to get immunized. hepatitis a/b, typhoid fever, and tetanus. come to find out the hep series should normally take a couple months to get all 4 shots of the series. good thing we are pro procrastinators and went a week before i needed them! ha! oh yeah, they really hurt. my shoulders are still sore and i've been moving like normal.

i am so totally excited to leave. i have most of the main things done that i need. just packing is my main worry but i should be fine. i have all monday (one whole day) to pack for two months! 

any tips on traveling abroad or what i should pack are appreciated!